show me some of ur ponds pics and tips

[johnwilly1000]

im planning to build pond in near future thought ild ask people who have attempted this. as i am thinking of a big pond its a semi cirle and 1 metre deep so fish keep warm in winter. bout say 10ft long.

was going to do sump cause i think thats best

[Rod54]

I live in a townhouse and have put a small pond in the front courtyard...

The pond is about 50cm deep(any deeper than 60cm and by law in Queensland the pond should be fenced) and about 1.5m in diameter.

I have a small raised area at one end of the pond in which is a large terracotta pot full of zeolite.

A pump in the pond runs a small fountain and also pumps water into the bottom of the terracotta pot full of zeolite....the water overflows from this pot into the raised pond and then flows back into the main pond.

I have irises and other bog plants in terracotta pots in the pond , aquatic grass in the terracotta filter pot and bull rushes beside the pot in the elevated pond. Water sprite and hortwort in the pond .

I have a large foam pre-filter on the intake to the pump which I clean every 2 months or so.

Water is alway crystal clear.... Goldfish and white clouds repopulate constantly.

[johnwilly1000]

where bouts u live mate man wouldnt mind coming some day for a look. sounds awesome, and thanks for the advice of by law fencing it.

[wrk21]

below was when it was first put in...
http://img240.imageshack.us/my.php?image=10019506ny.jpg
http://img219.imageshack.us/my.php?image=10019565ea.jpg
and this is the easy and cheap filter made from bits and pieces i had laying around the shead.
http://img49.imageshack.us/my.php?image=10019756vx.jpg
http://img163.imageshack.us/my.php?image=10019741zv.jpg

it probable took 6 to 8 weeks for everything in the pond to settle down, now the water is clear as, and all i do is change the filter wool once a month and the rainbows and sword tails are breeding like rabbits. one thing there is a lot of in the pond are plants. they are planted in pots with a good soil and a few drops of maxicrop seaweed plant food concentrate....good stuff.
on top of the soil put an inch of gravel out of one of ya tanks, helps keep the soil in the pot.

hth

[DeagonTheo]

I've had ponds for years, usually around 40 to 50cm deep and 1.5mtrs wide, I usually keep goldfish in them because they look nicer when looking down into the pond.
You dont really need filters for ponds if you grow plenty of plants, but they look good as a fountain and keep the water a bit cleaner.
Try to find a reasonably shady spot or the flaming thing will always be green.
And if you're going to keep bigger fish like Goldfish, you'll need some bird netting over the top to keep the Cranes away, because they [b:a6f8364f23]will[/b:a6f8364f23] eat your fish. Believe me they will find your fish.
Theo

[johnwilly1000]

hhhmmm so shade is best, i was under the impression sun is good to keep water warm. can u guys show me pics as i love looking at peoples ponds.

the area i was going to do it has full sun, which would meen i would have to cover it with something to give it shade

i would def put filter in to give it water fall effect and make nice place to sit and watch and keepwater crystal clear.

bout this birdeating thing is a bit of a worry, but i may put other types of fish in , ill experiment and stuff, maybe even saratoga

[DeagonTheo]

Sun is good, but this is Qld, temps in summer 36 plus. Plant a couple of small trees or shrubs around it to give it some shade, or put it in the shade of a tree. Also water Lillies help as well, a couple of different colors to make it look good.
You'll never keep a pond crystal clear if its got a lot of sun, no matter what the filtration.
Birds are a definate problem, the best stuff to use is a black nylon bird netting, you can hardly see it, you can get it at Bunnings and its very cheap.
Theo

Slug gun and a 6 pack works best.

[DeagonTheo]

Whats the six pack for? to pay off the Cops when they arrest you for shooting a Crane 8)
Anyway I'm putting up a pic of one of my ponds below. Hope it works okay.

http://members.ozemail.com.au/~tronbar/Pond.JPG

Theres 3 colors of Water Lillies and quite a few other plants. Over 13 large Goldfish, various colors, and about 20 of their babies, and some huge Mystery snails( about the size of a fist) which lay eggs all the time, and no filter.

You can see the netting in the foreground, hardly noticeable.

Also I've just made another one in a lot more shade, I'll show a pic later.

Theo
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~tronbar/Pond.JPG

[Anakist]

[quote:dd2c9fefd6="Rod54"](any deeper than 60cm and by law in Queensland the pond should be fenced)[/quote:dd2c9fefd6]

My local council (Rockhampton in CQ) told me I could have it any depth I wanted and not need a fence. I asked if I could excavate my entire yard to a depth of a couple of meters and he laughed and said if I wanted to I could. It only has to be fenced if you swim in it.

Ring your local council and ask for clarification of this.

James

[DeagonTheo]

I just hope your local council will come and sit on your lap(In Court), after somebody's kid drowns in your pond and the parents sue your arse.
Theo

[Ash]

[quote:c56c61d751="Anakist"][quote:c56c61d751="Rod54"](any deeper than 60cm and by law in Queensland the pond should be fenced)[/quote:c56c61d751]

My local council (Rockhampton in CQ) told me I could have it any depth I wanted and not need a fence. I asked if I could excavate my entire yard to a depth of a couple of meters and he laughed and said if I wanted to I could. It only has to be fenced if you swim in it.

Ring your local council and ask for clarification of this.

James[/quote:c56c61d751]

My council said the same (that there's no law in QLD regarding decorative ponds), but of course said you would be open to legal action if a child drowned in it.  

I guess the real question is whether the public liability insurance component of your home insurance would be void over a certian depth or without a fence or both?

[ashhhh]

[quote:d46faafa86]Ornamental Pools and Water features
Q. Do fish ponds/ornamental ponds on residential properties need to be fenced?

A. No. The Act relates only to swimming pools for residential dwellings and Class 2 dwellings. There is no requirement to fence a fish pond or ornamental pond. [/quote:d46faafa86]

full article here   http://www.poolfencing.qld.gov.au/?id=70
this is up to date as of Nov 2005

[davo0903]

Quote from that article for those who can't be bothered reading it..

"Ornamental Pools and Water features

Q. Do fish ponds/ornamental ponds on residential properties need to be fenced?

A. No. The Act relates only to swimming pools for residential dwellings and Class 2 dwellings. There is no requirement to fence a fish pond or ornamental pond."

[Ronin]

dont forget to cane toad proof yor pond too  :evil: